Quebec center Philipp Kurashev (96) ends his game with 2 points photo courtesy of Remy Garneau of infosportquebec
QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Already winning against Shawinigan last night Rimouski came in Quebec playing very good hockey defeating Quebec 6-3. Denis Mikhnin, Samuel Laberge respectively with a goal and assist each led the Oceanic offensive. Leading by two in first period Rimouski saw Quebec coming back to ty the game, but the visitor regained their lead to finally pulled the trigger and win a second games over the weekend.
Giving up the first goal for the 10th time this year, Quebec saw Rimouski breaking the ice with center Carson MacKinnon goal his fifth of the regular season. Making the save on shot from blue line by Simon Bourque, MacKinnon took the rebound his shot found tiny hole under Quebec goaltender Evgeny Kiselev under right arm at 7:25. Quebec record as they allowed first goal in the game is 3-6-0-0.
Antoine Dufort-Plante gave Rimouski a 2-0 lead as he redirected a pass from Dylan Montcalm in a two-on-one breakaway with 3:22 remaining in first period.
Quebec left winger Matthew Boucher (91) taking a shot on Oceanic netminder Charles-Olivier Levesque photo courtesy of Remy Garneau of infosportquebec
A penalty to Rimouski defenseman Charles-Edward D’astous opened the door to Quebec first goal on their first power play opportunity. Left winger Philipp Kurashev made perfect pass to teammate defenseman Christian Huntley seventh goal of the regular season. Left uncovered near Oceanic goaltender Charles-Olivier Levesque, Quebec defenseman beat Levesque on blocker side with 2.9 seconds left on the clock.
Quebec began middle frame on stronger note tying the game 2-2, as Mikael Robidoux on breakaway beat Rimouski netminder on glove side at 53 seconds of second period. Defenseman Aaron Dutra and Evgeny Kiselev got the assist.
Rimouski regained the lead with 3:12 remaining in second period. Oceanic center Tyler Boland found European right winger Denis Mikhnin scoring his 9th of the season in 22 games. Milkhnin wrist shot from the slot left no chance to Quebec netminder.
Rimouski began the third period adding another goal with only 1:10 gone into the period a controversial goal allowed to Samuel Laberge but in reality it was Quebec defenseman Ross McDougal who scored into his own net.
Rimouski forward Alex-Olivier Voyer (91) battling along the board for the puck photo courtesy of Remy Garneau of infosportquebec
A penalty to Quebec was about to be called but since the Remparts as referee said never has had the control of the puck referee Dominic Bedard allowed the goal to the last Oceanic player who touch the puck before it went in.
“First of all Yanick (Turcotte) got two minutes for hitting on the board that was the term I didn’t understand, secondly it always has been the case, it was the intention of whistle and not whistling that stop the play, the referee had whistled but on the sequence it was Ross McDougall who put the puck in the net. What is stopping the play when you got a penalty is, when you have the control of the puck. So when McDougall put the puck in the net, in my mind he should have the control of the puck. It is what seem to be the confusion.” Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher said about the Rimouski fourth goals in the game.
Trailing by two Quebec took advantage of a penalty to Oceanic forward Denis Mikhnin to cut Rimouski lead to only one for second times in the game. The shot by Quebec defenseman Ross McDougall has been redirect Philipp Kurashev at 4:22.
Oceanic defenseman Artem Maltsev made great piece of play finding his way between two Quebec defensemen Raphael Maheux and Ross McDougall before beating Quebec netminder Kiselev between his pads 2:16 after Quebec third goal to regain their two-goal lead.
Rimouski complete the scoring with an empty net their sixth of the night allowed to Hunter Moreau at 18:13.
“Playing seven games in eleven days we found the energy we needed to play that game, we shot around 40 times on Remparts net, very proud of the guys tonight.” Rimouski head coach Serge Beausoleil said after the game.
Rimouski right winger Denis Mikhnin (72) earns first stars with 2 points playing very solid game photo courtesy of Rmy Garneau of infosportquebec
“The way we played, the way we managed this game overall we deserved the win. We played against a team that play very, very good hockey lately, I think with the Armada (Blainville-Boisbriand) they are the most consistent teams in the league.” Continued Oceanic head coach Beausoleil.
On the game itself Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher admitted that Rimouski had more energy than his team.
“I think what made the difference was Rimouski got more energy, we have young team, last night guys were ready to play the best team in the league, we were on a high and we have had tough time to get that high again. We have had players playing lots of minutes Kurashev (Philipp) last night tonight it has been little harder, same for several at forward. That is more what made the difference than the goal itself but it didn’t help.” Quebec head coach Boucher said.
Quebec next game will be next Friday hosting the Victoriaville Tigres.
Seven other games were on QMJHL schedule on Saturday
Cape Breton 2 vs. Baie-Comeau 3
Rouyn-Noranda 4 vs. Blainville-Boisbriand 0
Acadie-Bathurst 3 vs. Chicoutimi 5
Val-d’Or 2 vs. Gatineau 3
Charlottetown 4 vs. Halifax 7
Sherbrooke 2 vs. Saint John 7
Moncton 1 vs. Drummondville 5
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
Follow us on Twitter @prohockeynews
You must be logged in to post a comment.